WILDON L. "WIL" REICH

1936 - 2023

Wildon "Wil" L. Reich passed away on July 28, 2023, in Sonora, California. He was 86 years old. He was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Jefferson, Wisconsin.
During his childhood, Wildon L. Reich helped on the family farm and milked cows before and after school. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1954, he attended Milwaukee School of Engineering and earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. His first employment after graduation was as a design engineer for the Peter Albright Company in Milwaukee. Later, Wil earned his master's degree in business from the University of Wisconsin, attending school on Saturdays and evenings and working a full-time job during the week. He had fulfilling careers at both Ingersoll Rand Company and Gillig Corporation.
After retiring, Wil went to clown school. He rode in parades as a clown and performed at a few birthday parties. He even entertained in Las Vegas.
Fishing, hunting, and reading were among his favorite activities. He loved traveling and cruising with Cheryl. He was an avid Packers fan and attended many games during his college years. He loved talking about stocks and teaching his grandchildren about saving for their future.
Wil loved serving in the Elks. He was an Exalted Ruler in 2015-16. He especially loved cooking turkey dinners and helping with the Special Olympics. He belonged to many organizations; SIRS, Geezers, and the Moose. He embraced his German heritage and loved Polka music and all German food.
Wil is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cheryl Reich; six children, Laura (Debbie) Reich, Tiffany Calderone, Michelle Reich, Joseph (Lisa) Jewett, Molly (Darren) Phelps and Maureen (Jeff) Dunn; 13 grandchildren, Joseph, Kayla, Tiana (Keegan), Maria Rose, Jacklyn, Andrew (Autumn), Jordan, Audrey (Andre), Jonathan, Jacob, Aaron (Kennedy), Jared and Ronnie; 8 great-grandchildren; his brother, Leland (Sharon) Reich; his sister-in-law, Anna Reich; and many nieces and nephews.
Wil was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Royal Reich; two sisters, Martha Reich and Diane (Jim) Hansen; four brothers, Robert (Ginny) Reich, Royal (Dorothy) Reich, Lyle (Virgina) and Duane Reich; three nephews and two nieces.
In final placement before God and the world, he will be with Cheryl in a small container after cremation and enjoy life ever after in the house not built by human hands. He will ultimately be buried in Wisconsin. A service will be held to honor his memory on Sept. 2, 2023, at Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive, Sonora. The time is to be determined.